We are honored to welcome Professor Gustavo Duque from McGill University as our Plenary Speaker for SSBH 2026. A world-renowned pioneer in musculoskeletal geroscience, Professor Duque has redefined our understanding of aging by treating bone, muscle, and adipose tissue as a single, highly integrated physiological system. Moving beyond the view of these tissues as independent structures, he will present a transformative paradigm focusing on their complex and continuous synergy. The presentation will delve into the dual nature of these interactions, emphasizing both biochemical and mechanical crosstalk. Professor Duque will explain how these tissues function as endocrine organs, releasing a network of osteokines, myokines, and adipokines that coordinate systemic metabolic balance. Simultaneously, he will explore how they collectively sense and adapt to physical forces to maintain structural integrity. This integrated approach is crucial for understanding how their communication breakdown leads to age-related conditions such as osteosarcopenia. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into how restoring the balance within this "three-tissue system" can lead to more effective, holistic therapeutic strategies for the aging population.

We are honored to host Professor Vicki Rosen as a plenary speaker for the SSBH. She is a renowned leader in skeletal biology and regenerative medicine and serves on the faculty of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM). Her pioneering contributions have substantially advanced the field’s understanding of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in bone development, skeletal stem cell biology, and tissue repair. Over the course of her career, Dr. Rosen has helped establish key conceptual links between BMP-mediated pathways and the regulation of skeletal homeostasis, with broad implications for aging, musculoskeletal disease, and regenerative therapeutics. In this session, Dr. Rosen will present recent advances on how BMP signaling governs skeletal stem cell differentiation, function, and long-term maintenance of bone integrity. Her talk is expected to integrate mechanistic insights with physiological and translational perspectives, highlighting how precise modulation of BMP pathways supports skeletal health across the lifespan. These insights are particularly timely as the field seeks strategies to combat age-related bone loss and improve regenerative outcomes. This presentation is anticipated to provide valuable guidance for researchers working in bone biology, stem cell regulation, and musculoskeletal medicine. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how BMP signaling can be leveraged to promote skeletal resilience and therapeutic innovation, potentially opening new avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research.